Test ride on Moto Morini's 1200 Corsaro

The guys at our sister company Thunderbike Powersports (www.thunderbike.co.nz) recommended I take a out a Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 demonstrator last week. I love big lusty Italian V twins so it was an easy sell. With Graeme from Thunderbike on Tbike's KTM Superduke demo, and friend Shane on his O6 Triumph Sprint 1050 with set off for a quick fang through the Moutere Hills, to the West of Nelson. We're enjoying a fantastic spell of weather this November, and the weather was perfect.

The Corsaro was a delightful surprise - booming exhaust note, smooth, relentless "fat" power everywhere, great handling, fab brakes, compliant yet firm suspension, great riding position. It was perfect for the twisting hilly backroads surrounding Nelson.

In short, I want one - and I have ridden most offerings from other manufacturers in this naked sports bike genre.

If you get a chance to ride one a Corsaro, grab it with both hands. If you're contemplating buying a naked big bore scratcher, make sure you test ride one of these before parting with your cash.


Siezure later,

John.

On the road with GoTourNZ.com's World's Fastest Indian Tour. Wyndham Street Races.

The Burt Munro Memorial weekend continues with a feast of racing for the motorcycle enthusiasts, a day of racing at Wyndham, with Super Motard, BEARS , pre '62 , pre '72 and girder fork equipped motorcycles.

The competition was fierce and the large crowd enthused by the array of spectacular machinery- not to be missed!

Make sure you book for next November now - space is limited.

Cheers from Wyndham, Southland

Ian

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On the road with GoTourNZ.com's World's Fastest Indian Tour

The Burt Munro ( World's Fastest Indian Tour) has been a huge success here in Invercargill, home of Burt Munro and New Zealand's Southern most city.

It has been an amazing weekend so far, with circuit racing , street racing beach racing and speedway also.

We have had a really nostalgic few days, visitng Burts burial place and also the museum. We have seen a great display from the filmset, including the car and the Burts "shed"- also the replica bikes for the movie as well as the real record holding bike as well.

We have managed even to talk with some of the actors from the movie. Invercargill has been a great host town for this gala weekend that has been an overwhelming success and there are bikers everywhere.

Be sure not to miss this event next November as it is just going to get better and better.

Cheers, from Invercargill.

Ian

Latest Air New Zealand Deals for USA to NZ commencing Feb 1, 2008

I've just been browsing around Air New Zealand's US website and found this deal below - might be worth checking out if you're thinking of a motorcycle tour of New Zealand with GoTourNZ.com just as it starts to get cold/icy up in there. :-)

Flights start at US$1272 per person. Check it out here:

http://www.airnewzealand.com/airfares_offers/web_specials_flights/flights/nz_from_usa_949_25_05_06.htm

Happy hunting..

Seizure later

John

On the road with Tour 2007-10BB. Wanaka to Queenstown

Nov 6, 2007: Wanaka to Queenstown

We woke to an absolute cracker of a day - the sky was almost cloudless.

For those that were into it, we went for a good physical workout with a run up Mt Iron on the outskirts of Wanaka. This peak overlooks Wanaka township and offers spectacular 360 deg views of Wanaka, the Cardrona Valley, and the Alps.

After a hearty breakfast at the Lodge we rode to the Warbirds museum at the airport for a view of the machines of yesteryear. Then it was on the bikes for the great ride up the Cardrona Valley and over the Crown Range to Queenstown. The views are simply breathtaking - this is a "must do" road for any motorcyclist.

Cheers,

John.

On the road with Tour 2007-10BB. Franz Josef to Wanaka

Nov 5, 2007: Franz Josef to Wanaka.

After a damp Day 3 riding from Paroa to Franz Josef, the weather came right in a big way - just what we were hoping for, as the ride to Wanaka is one of the best rides in the world. We woke this morning to a perfectly clear day, so it was into the helicopter for a stunning 45 minute flight up to Mt Cook and a landing in the neve of Franz Josef Glacier. After breakfast, we hit the road for Haast for 3 hours of exhilarating jetboating up a real wilderness river deep into the Alps.


Then it was back on the bikes for the fantastic 2 hour ride over Haast Pass, along the sides of lakes Wanaka and Hawea, and on to Wanaka. I truly believe this to be one of the best rides you'll find anywhere on The Planet - fantastic alpine scenery, twisting, rising, falling, grippy roads....and no traffic.

A long day, but everyone was buzzed. we capped it off with a great meal, some excellent local Pinot Noir....and a soak in the spa for some, watching the stars.

A great day!

On the road with Tour 2007-10BB

Nov 2, 2007.Location: Hanmer Springs.

Our November Best of the Best 14 day South Island tour is on the road and we're off to a great start. Though we're only on Day 2, the weather has been fantastic and the entire group is having a blast.

We spent a the first day pootling around Nelson and Golden Bay getting used to the bikes and riding on the correct side of the road. The views over Golden and Tasman Bays from the top of the Takaka Hill were fantastic.

Today we rode from Nelson to the thermal resort town of Hanmer Springs via Lewis Pass. The roads were almost deserted, and the clean mountain air and sunlight shining through the canopy of the beech forests were great.

On this tour we have a party of 6 one of whom, Laura Flynn, won a free tour with us at the BMWMOA Rally in Burlington, Vermont last year. Each year at the BMWMOA rally in the US, we give away 2 free tour prize - if you live in the US make sure you get along to the MOA rally to be in with a chance for yourself.

I'll post more as the trip progresses.

Safe riding,

John & Ian